Cupcake Wars’ host to work his magic at Knickerbocker for LaughFest

Justin Willman prides himself on being a diverse entertainer, but comedy and magic are natural companions for Willman. Cupcakes, not so much. He hasn’t baked one yet, but the the L.A.-based performer keeps “Cupcake Wars” contestants — and audiences — on their toes.

You might know Justin Willman as the host of “Cupcake Wars.” You might know him for his comedy or as the guy who “made magic cool again” or all of the above.

He prides himself on being a diverse entertainer, but comedy and magic are natural companions for Willman. Cupcakes, not so much. He hasn’t baked one yet, but the the L.A.-based performer keeps “Cupcake Wars” contestants — and audiences — on their toes.

What is it about magic and comedy that dovetails so well?

I think magic is just asking for comedy. I like to double dose it and spike it with comedy. It just works together, it’s a good mix. I like to use self-depricating humor. People are used to the all-powerful magician. Laughter is always the best misdirection.

Describe your humor.

I toured colleges a lot. What happened is my comedic voice became authentic. I could poke fun at anything.

It’s not a kiddie show. But it caters to the whole family. It’s like a Pixar movie ... there are jokes the kids laugh at and jokes that go right over their head that have Mom and Dad laughing.

Describe your magic.

I’ve got all these heroes — David Copperfield, Penn and Teller — people who, no matter what, in the end, make sure they deliver a powerful magic punch.

We take miracles for granted. You’d think the role of the magician might be tougher. I take magic back to an older state.

I leave the audience appreciating the miracles that happen on a daily basis even more.

People say you’ve made magic cool again. What’s your response?

Magic has gotten bogged down by guys in top hats. Performances like that make you less relatable to the audience.

I think the more relatable you can be, the more powerful the magic will be.

You make it hip and current and relatable.

How does a comedian/magician become the host of a cooking show?

I have never baked a cupcake. Magic led to comedy, led to just across-the-board entertainment. Part of being an entertainer in Los Angeles, you kind of dabble, sometimes in hosting.

In L.A., you go on a million auditions, and you don’t get a million of them. I didn’t really take it too personally.

“Cupcake Wars” is a random audition that came up.

One of my heroes before “Cupcake Wars” was Marc Summers. He inspired me to be a diverse entertainer. I think that probably gave me the confidence to think, “Why can’t I host a show?”

Page 2 of 3 - I love it that way. “Cupcake Wars” has such a wide audience. I’ll have people who know me just as the cupcake guy and they’re amazed that, “Oh my gosh, the cupcake guy also knows magic.” What they don’t know is the magic predated “Cupcake Wars” by 15 years.

Talk about your experience with Hugh Jackman and Jay Leno.

Being a guest on the “Tonight Show” was definitely something — without hyperbole — I dreamed about when I was a kid. ... I stayed up late watching “Johnny (Carson),” then I stayed up late watching “Jay (Leno).”

... It was really the right place, right time.

Another big moment for you was when you performed at the White House in 2011.

I have such a reverence for presidents, regardless of politics. ... I’m a big (President Barack) Obama fan. I think he’s a charming, great leader, and to be able to perform in his living room was surreal.

Obviously, security to get in there was intense. They searched my deck of cards — card by card. I brought cupcakes as a gift. They X-rayed the cupcakes and had the bomb sniffing dogs go through them.

They weren’t very appetizing after that.

What can people expect out of a Justin Willman show?

I always like, in the end, to deliver a nice, strong entertainment. I use a lot of improv because I use audience participation. I don’t want to do a show I could do in my living room for nobody.

If they love magic, they will be satisfied. It’s a good mix of the classics of magic with a lot of comedy. If people are kind of ho-hum on whether they like magic, but they like to laugh, the show will definitely deliver on that front, too.

Which came first — comedy or magic?

When I was 13, and I rode my bike with Rollerblades on and I broke both my arms, I was in casts for a while. From there, I became obsessed with magic.

The idea of being a stand-up comedian can be kind of daunting to people. In the context of a magic show ... you have the context of a trick — beginning, middle and end — there’s a lot of places to insert comedy.

Magic is kind of the safety net. Now, in my show, it’s probably about 50-50.

There’s nothing I love more than doing a live show.

Where else can people check out your act?

Magicmeltdown.com — That’s a hybrid of street magic, sketch comedy and live stage performance on the nerdist YouTube channel. More videos and information can be found at justinwillman.com.

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Tell us about performing for LaughFest.

Just to be affiliated with Gilda is amazing, but to have the chance to entertain people while simultaneously benefiting Gilda's Club and all that they do is an honor.